Annual Yard Plants

Full Sun

• Many annuals prefer full-sun exposure, or sites that receive direct sunlight all day long. These include the cockscomb or celosia Celosia argenta var. "Crista," which grows to 3 feet tall and blooms from summer through early autumn with yellow to red flowers. Cockscomb tolerates a moderate amount of drought.

  The scarlet runner bean, an annual vine, grows to 15 feet long and has deep-green, triple-set foliage. This vine produces deep red flowers and edible beans. Plant scarlet runner beans in full sun and moist, well-drained soil.

Light Shade

• Sites with light-shade exposure receive from four to five hours of direct light each day. Mexican heather Cuphea hyssopifolia prefers light shade and produces small white, pink and purple blossoms from spring through summer. This annual grows 2 feet tall and has tiny, oval foliage.

  The chenille plant grows best in light shade and requires adequate air circulation, so space plants at least 3 feet apart. Chenille plants grow to 18 inches and produce drooping, 20-inch-long spikes of fuzzy red flowers.

  The purple bell vine Rhodochiton atrosanguineum grows in light shade and well-drained soil. This annual vine grows up to 10 feet long and has heart-shaped foliage and purple flowers. Purple bell vines can overwinter indoors.

Partial Shade

• Sites in partial shade experience a constant, dappled pattern of sun and shade or just two or three hours of direct sunlight. The ageratum Ageratum houstonianum, a drought-tolerant annual that flowers in summer blue, pink and white blossoms. Ageratum grow between 6 and 24 inches tall and thrive in partial shade to sun.

  The browallia prefers partial shade and fertile, moist, well-drained soil. This annual can grow in containers or in the ground. Browallia bloom through the growing season with blue to purple flowers and grow to 2 feet tall.

  The mandevilla Mandevilla x amabilis thrives in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. This twining vine grows to 10 feet and has pink, trumpet-shaped flowers and shiny leaves.

Full Shade

• Not many annuals thrive in fully shaded sites, which receive only indirect or reflected light. Exceptions include the wax begonia Begonia semperflorens, which produces pink, white and red flowers from late spring through early fall. This small, 6- to 12-inch-tall annual requires moist soil and regular irrigation.

  New Guinea impatiens Impatiens "New Guinea" also tolerate full shade. These annuals bloom from spring through autumn in a range of colors, from purple to orange. New Guinea impatiens need moist soil and grow to 2 feet tall.